Tom Moody assures Pakistan players will be considered as ILT20 initial picks revealed

The initial list of retained and signed players for Season 4 of the International League T20 (ILT20) has been announced, with no Pakistani cricketers retained so far in Desert Vipers. However, Desert Vipers’ Director of Cricket Tom Moody has assured that Pakistani players remain part of the team’s plans and are likely to be considered during the upcoming player auction in September.

The teams have revealed a mix of retained stars and fresh signings ahead of the upcoming player auction, which is expected to take place in September. Notable names across various franchises include Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shai Hope, Alex Hales, Moeen Ali, and Chris Woakes.

Among the new signings, Dubai Capitals brought in Afghanistan wristspinner Waqar Salamkheil, England’s Luke Wood, and UAE pacer Muhammad Jawadullah. MI Emirates added Woakes and Kamindu Mendis, while Desert Vipers included USA's Andries Gous. Sharjah Warriorz picked up Maheesh Theekshana and Sikandar Raza, among others.

Desert Vipers’ Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, confirmed that Pakistani players are very much part of the franchise’s plans for the upcoming ILT20 season.

“Yes absolutely, we can expect Pakistani players to feature for the Vipers in season four,” Moody said. 

“With the auction scheduled for September, I’m sure we’ll see a few Pakistan players nominate themselves. We’ll be very keen to look at what talent enters the draft,” he added. 

He added that the franchise has always valued its association with Pakistani cricketers.

“We’ve got a good relationship with Pakistan and Pakistan cricketers. There’s no mistaking their talent. If we can build our squad with two or three Pakistan players, we certainly will, because they bring so much both on and off the field,” he further added. 

Moody also spoke about the challenges of the eight-player retention limit. 

“We have built a long association with a core group in the first three years of the ILT20 and, we pride ourselves on trying to have that continuity and consistency with our playing group, but to be restricted to eight players was a challenge,” he concluded. 

The ILT20 Season 4 has been moved to a December–January window to avoid schedule clashes and wrap up before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in February. Full squad announcements will follow after the auction later this year.

Retained players: 

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Phil Salt, Sunil Narine
Desert Vipers: Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga
Dubai Capitals: Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Gulbadin Naib, Rovman Powell, Shai Hope
Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Mark Adair
MI Emirates: AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kusal Perera, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Muhammad Waseem
Sharjah Warriorz: Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis, Tim Southee, Tom Kohler-Cadmore

New signings: 

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Alex Hales, Liam Livingstone, Sherfane Rutherford
Desert Vipers: Andries Gous
Dubai Capitals: Luke Wood, Waqar Salamkheil, Muhammad Jawadullah
Gulf Giants: Azmatullah Omarzai, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
MI Emirates: Chris Woakes, Kamindu Mendis
Sharjah Warriorz: Maheesh Theekshana, Sikandar Raza, Saurabh Netravalkar, Tim David